Senior MFP outsourced 12 months project funded by UNICEF

Scope of work:
In close alignment with outcomes for multiple and flexible pathways to education described in Programme 1.6 of MEHE’s 5-Year General Education Plan 2021-2025: “Providing multiple and flexible pathways to education for children out of school (NFE)”, the purpose of this consultancy is to support MEHE to update the alternative learning pathways available to OOSC, develop additional policies, implementation framework, and SOPS based on lessons learned from the previous years of implementation, and to ensure a better fit between the needs of OOSC and the programmes that are offered.

The project will focus on aligning non-formal education curriculum with the national curriculum, integrating various educational approaches, and ensuring that NFE programs equip learners with transferable skills for employment. The initiative also encompasses a needs assessment for NFE teachers regarding training content, level, and frequency.

The Consultant will provide support to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to review the existing policy on alternative pathways to learning for OOSC, so it follows a “whole of system” approach that addresses the administrative and regulatory challenges faced by OOSC, and allows for expanding access to regulated, cost-effective, gender and disability -responsive, multiple flexible pathways (MFP) for vulnerable out of schoolgirls and boys.

The Senior consultant, will work with CERD team on reviewing the existing NFE curriculum, learning standards and outcomes, pedagogical approaches and methods, including the integration of IT, inclusive education, SEL, and gender- and disability-responsive approaches and alignment of all NFE curriculum with the National Curriculum. In addition, s/he supports MEHE in conducting a learning needs assessment that provides guidance on how to ensure the NFE programmes equip learners who are not able to transition to FE with the relevant transferable skills that support their employment.

UNICEF, in collaboration with MEHE, is seeking a consultant to lead the implementation and coordination of the Transition and Resilience Education Fund (TREF) Window II. This initiative is part of developing the Policy Framework for Multiple Flexible Pathways (MFP) in Lebanon, aimed at integrating non-formal education with the formal education framework and enhancing the overall structure and effectiveness of the non-formal education system. The primary goal is to establish a synchronized, efficient non-formal education system that provides equitable access to education and various transition pathways for all children in Lebanon, addressing key risk factors.

Activities:
-Technically support MEHE to develop a standardized costing framework and cost-effective transitional strategy for MFP programs.
-Follow up and support in the development and aligning of a comprehensive and disaggregated Information Management System for NFE/MFP to track children in NFE and post completion.
-Revisit the current structure of the NFE program (including reviewing the alternative pathways policy) to design more flexible pathways to education and increase transition into formal education.
-Provide technical support to MEHE to engage and strengthen the coordination mechanism of NFE in the education sector.
-Contribute to MEHE AWP via drafting the components related to NFE
-Organize action-oriented meetings for the NFE task force
-Curriculum and NFE programme content review and mapping of learning competencies
-Coordination with the Senior IST members under Windows-1 of the TREF to ensure alignment with the 5 Year Plan and other ongoing initiatives/projects.
-Ensure capacities of selected civil servants inside MEHE on managing NFE programs is strengthened.

Deliverables:
– A new costing framework for MFP/NFE in place
– Design SOPs of a standardized IM system responding to the needs of MEHE, and all education partners is in place.
– Transitioning Framework and pathways from NFE into FE including TVET
– NFE policy paper reviewed and updated
– Mapping of all ongoing NFE programs and research.
– Amended scope and SOPs for NFE taskforce
– NFE Component for MEHE’s AWP delivered in a timely manner
– Coordinate with CERD reviewing the existing NFE curriculum, learning standards and outcomes, pedagogical approaches, and methods, including the integration of IT inclusive education
– Coordination with the Senior IST members under Windows-1 of the TREF to ensure alignment with the 5 Year Plan and other ongoing initiatives/projects.
– Ensure capacities of selected civil servants inside MEHE on managing NFE programs is strengthened

Reporting Requirements:
The direct supervision line is the MEHE DG

Profile Requirements:

– Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in Education with UN and/or
NGOs, governmental institutions; field and emergency experience is an advantage
– Experience in organizing and conducting training activities and information
campaigns on education
– Strong knowledge of MS office suite and advanced knowledge in Excel and
database
– Ability to present information in understandable tables, charts and graphs
– Communicates effectively in both graphic and narrative form
– A high level of organizational skills
– Fluency in English and Arabic is required; French is an asset

The consultant will be working at the MEHE.